In April 2022, Pakistan’s National Assembly ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan via no-confidence vote, triggering massive protests by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party supporters alleging a U.S.-backed conspiracy—claims fueling political crisis, assassination attempts, and Khan’s eventual arrest on corruption charges.

Khan, cricket legend turned populist leader, claimed the ouster resulted from his independent foreign policy refusing to align with U.S. interests. He cited a diplomatic cable (the “cipher”) as proof, rallying millions to massive protests nationwide demanding early elections.

His rallies drew unprecedented crowds—hundreds of thousands chanting against the new Shehbaz Sharif government and military establishment Khan accused of orchestrating his removal. On November 3, 2022, Khan survived an assassination attempt—shot in the leg during a political rally, with one supporter killed.

In May 2023, after Khan’s arrest on corruption charges, PTI supporters attacked military installations—unprecedented in Pakistan’s history—leading to military trials of civilians. Khan was convicted and imprisoned in August 2023 on corruption and leaking state secrets charges PTI called politically motivated.

From prison, Khan remained Pakistan’s most popular politician, with PTI-backed independents winning February 2024 elections despite a military crackdown—though they were denied power. The crisis exposed Pakistan’s civilian-military power dynamics and deep polarization.

Sources: BBC, Al Jazeera, Dawn, The Guardian, Reuters, NY Times